Best bait for the rain

[jtrammell]

When/if it starts to rain, what is the best bait to use? Right now I use a dry cob but I have a feeling that when it rains it will go bad. I have elk on camera, I just want to know what will work when it rains. Thanks in advance.

[headshot5]

If it is not being eaten fast enough it will spoil (mold etc.).  Apples work pretty well in the rain. 

[jtrammell]

I was using apples, as seen in picture, but my supply ran out.

[Jonathan_S]

Thought you might be looking for ways to "Bait Rain"  In that case, I'd say wash and wax your car.

Apples definitely spoil when wet but when they are dropped out in the woods, they are going to bruise anyway and spoil. 

Last year and alfalfa truck lost a bale near my place.  I kept seeing the deer eating that even when it was old and sopping wet.  I think if hungry enough, deer and elk will pick around mold.

[jtrammell]

I was thinking about getting alfalfa pellets or hay.

[JimmyHoffa]

Corn holds up.  Also you can make a small covered trough if you want to keep using the cob.  The worst I thought was leaving on the ground when it gets damp.  I would find the stones with flat surfaces and put the bait on top those--seemed to let it keep longer.

[WapitiTalk1]

How about the gift that keeps on giving....salt.  Prior to a rain storm is an optimum time to get some salt out. 

[treeclimber2852]

I'm new to Washington, so don't know how it would work, but a great bait we used out East was hanging a peanut butter jar with the lid off over a limb of a tree so the raccoons couldn't get to it.  The deer would wear it out and since they could only get to it with their tongues, it lasted a good while.  I normally had to throw out some corn to get them to try it, but once they did it was like crack cocaine. 

[MountainWalk]

Think about it folks, and think about that guy's post earlier about the hay.  Cattle readily gobble up haylage and silage.  Get a whiff of the stuff.

[gaddy]

Treeclimber, would that be chunky or creamy peanut butter. Interesting, don't think I ever heard of that

[BULLBLASTER]

I have never had cob lay on the ground long enough to go bad so the deer didn't eat it. It's always ate up. Even in rainy November

[Jonathan_S]

I have never had cob lay on the ground long enough to go bad so the deer didn't eat it. It's always ate up. Even in rainy November

Wet COB tastes good enough that I will chew on it sometimes  I have to imagine the deer don't mind it wet

[jtrammell]

I tried the PB earlier this year. Coons and crows devoured it. Then I had some bears pay it a visit.

I'm new to Washington, so don't know how it would work, but a great bait we used out East was hanging a peanut butter jar with the lid off over a limb of a tree so the raccoons couldn't get to it.  The deer would wear it out and since they could only get to it with their tongues, it lasted a good while.  I normally had to throw out some corn to get them to try it, but once they did it was like crack cocaine.

[treeclimber2852]

That's why we hung it from a branch...the coons weren't acrobatic enough and the crows were too lazy.  Of course we didn't have many bears where I hunted, so they may get into it also.  I had a nice 5x5 that would spend all day on the camera licking the thing.  Once the season started, he filled the freezer.

[jtrammell]

Alfalfa hay is a lot cheaper than I thought. Only $17 for an 80 lbs bale.

[Jonathan_S]

Alfalfa hay is a lot cheaper than I thought. Only $17 for an 80 lbs bale.

Gets a lot more expensive feeling when you're using it for cows and hogs 

[xXLojackXx]

trace minerals. rain and ground water make them even better when they soak into the soil.

[fishnfur]

Nice cam shot JT.  Gorgeous animals! 

Ask neighbors with apple trees for donations.  Around town, most people let them fall to the ground and then push them into the bushes.  Pears are still coming too.

[jtrammell]

That's where I was getting my apples from originally. I think I have a friend with a pear tree. Thanks though, I didn't even think about that.

Nice cam shot JT.  Gorgeous animals! 

Ask neighbors with apple trees for donations.  Around town, most people let them fall to the ground and then push them into the bushes.  Pears are still coming too.

[cryder]

First off were is there enough rain to test these theories and secondly , the more smelly the apples ,Ive found the better response, they may not eat them , boy do they come running in on them.

[jtrammell]

I'm sure there will be some in the fall.

First off were is there enough rain to test these theories and secondly , the more smelly the apples ,Ive found the better response, they may not eat them , boy do they come running in on them.

[PolarBear]

Alfalfa hay is a lot cheaper than I thought. Only $17 for an 80 lbs bale.

Gets a lot more expensive feeling when you're using it for cows and hogs 

Yeah, especially at 10+ ton per winter.  If you are looking for good quality alfalfa at a great price, Kippert's Korner Feed in Tumwater has their sale next Sunday (13th) and will be $12-$14 per bale.  Their sale is usually $4per bale cheaper than their normal price.    Hell, I cleaned out my leftover alfalfa recently and spread 8 bales out next to adjoining timber property.  I should have offered it to someone on here.  I won't feed it to my livestock because mice have been all through it.  It is fine for elk.

[jtrammell]

The place I was looking at sales it for $15 a bale. I was thinking 4-5 bales should be good for a while. I was going to throw some sweet cob and pears on top if it.

Alfalfa hay is a lot cheaper than I thought. Only $17 for an 80 lbs bale.

Gets a lot more expensive feeling when you're using it for cows and hogs 

Yeah, especially at 10+ ton per winter.  If you are looking for good quality alfalfa at a great price, Kippert's Korner Feed in Tumwater has their sale next Sunday (13th) and will be $12-$14 per bale.  Their sale is usually $4per bale cheaper than their normal price.    Hell, I cleaned out my leftover alfalfa recently and spread 8 bales out next to adjoining timber property.  I should have offered it to someone on here.  I won't feed it to my livestock because mice have been all through it.  It is fine for elk.

[JimmyHoffa]

I've been seeing lots of signs for free pears and apples, but when I stop every place is "you should've been here an hour ago, filled up half a truck".  So, maybe you could find some good free fruit for the time being.